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Guidelines for Handling Low Germination Soybean Seed

Planters and drills should be adjusted to achieve an adequate plant population based on germination percentage and seed size for each seed lot planted.

Growers should focus on germination rate and the ability of seed to produce a healthy seedling as they place seed orders for the upcoming growing season.

Seed Size

While seed size is influenced partially by genetics, the environment during seed fill plays a larger role. Small and large seeds of the same soybean product have the same genetic material; therefore, the same yield potential. Seed size does not affect germination or emergence under most conditions. However, in extreme situations, differences may be observed. Large seed may be able to survive a longer period of time prior to emergence under adverse weather conditions, due to a larger energy reserve. However, the size of cotyledons increases with seed size; therefore, large seeds require more energy to emerge from the soil. Larger seeds may also suffer from reduced emergence relative to small seed under extremely dry soil moisture conditions.

Common Soybean Appearance Problems

Environmental and disease issues from each growing season, combined with a few storage challenges postharvest, can lead to some seed beans with poor appearance. However, poor appearance is not necessarily an indicator of poor quality. Likewise, almost perfect looking seed can have poor germination. Conditions such as drought, aphids, bean leaf beetles, a quick harvest drydown, viruses, and other pathogens may lead to various conditions that can cause poor seed appearance. Low harvest moisture can increase the chances of mechanical damage from handling during conditioning and packaging. Rapid shutdown of soybean plants at harvest can create immature green seeds. Excess moisture in bins can contribute to surface mold on seed. Germination rate, not appearance, should be the focus as several conditions that cause poor seed appearance and surface mold do NOT affect germination.

Seed selection should be based on agronomic characteristics (disease tolerance, standability, maturity) rather than seed appearance or size. Year-to-year variations and individual production environments can influence seed size within the same product. To help maximize yield potential, proper planter adjustments and maintenance should be addressed to plant the desired seeds at the appropriate rate.

General Guidelines for Handling Low Germination and Sensitive Soybean Seed:

Limit any additional handling of low germination seed as it is especially sensitive to damage.

DO NOT apply any additional seed treatments to this seed. The compounded effect of more handling will decrease quality.

DO NOT throw or drop seed bags. This applies to all soybean seed bags as this action can damage seed coats and reduce germination by as much as 10%.

Operate augers slow and full when handling bulk seed. Avoid the use of steel augers: conveyors or brush augers are preferred. This will help lessen seed bounce and excessive damage.

Limit seed drop as much as possible to avoid damaging fragile seed coats.

Consider installing some type of soft surface for beans to land on in a tender, drill, etc. rather than a hard, steel surface.

Low-Germination Soybean Seed and Seeding Rate

Both historically and currently, a healthy, consistent, and uniform stand of 100,000 plants per acre (ppa) is generally considered the threshold for replant situations.1 Often 100,000 to 125,000 ppa at harvest has been shown to allow optimum profitability and maximum yield potential.1 While the threshold for replant situations may be around 100,000 ppa, the seeding rate recommendations to help attain maximum profitability and/or yield potential vary by geography and local conditions. Follow local university recommendations for desired plant populations.

Since germination in some seed lots may be below the normal 90 percent, seed tags should be checked for each seed lot planted to determine the germination percentage and seed size. Drills and planters should be adjusted for each seed lot to help provide an adequate plant population. A general formula to determine seeding rate is:2

The percent live seed emergence estimate is not provided on the seed tag and is an arbitrary number determined prior to planting. The estimate should be determined on a field by field basis and is dependent on variables such as the type of planter or drill, field conditions, planting depth, etc. Typically 90 percent is a good rule of thumb, but should not be used in all situations.

When managing low-germination soybean seed, it is important to achieve a good stand the first time and avoid situations where it becomes necessary to replant. It is also important to reduce the stresses when planting low germination soybean seed, particularly in cold and/or wet soils. Seed lots with higher germination percentages should be planted first leaving low germination seed lots for later in the planting season when conditions are more ideal.

Soybean Seed Treatments

Soybean seedling diseases may result in reduced plant stands, poor plant vigor, and lower yield potential. A fungicide treatment product, such as Acceleron® Seed Applied Solutions for soybean, can be effective at protecting seeds and young seedlings from many seedborne and soilborne pathogens. Fungicide treatments will not improve germination of seed that has reduced quality, but may protect the seed from soil pathogens if the seed is planted into cold and/or wet soils.

Acceleron Seed Applied Solutions contains advancements in seed treatment technology, including multiple modes of action, broad-spectrum of control of insects and diseases with increased length of protection. Acceleron Seed Applied Solutions provides control for the diseases Pythium, Phytophthora, Fusarium, and Rhizoctonia, and protection from key insects, such as bean leaf beetle, soybean aphid, seed corn maggot, wireworm, and white grub. The protection provided by Acceleron Seed Applied Solutions can last for up to 30 days. Acceleron Seed Applied Solutions Insecticide/Fungicide for soybeans will contain the fungicides pyraclostrobin for Fusarium and Rhizoctonia control, metalaxyl for Pythium and Phytophthora control, fluxapyroxad for control of Fusarium and Rhizoctonia, as well as the insecticide imidacloprid which provides both above- and below-ground insect protection.

Summary

Seed size and seed appearance is largely influenced by environmental conditions and handling. However, seeds of the same soybean product have the same genetic yield potential. It is important to read the seed tag for each bag or unit and adjust seeding rates as necessary for low germination seed lots. Plant soybeans when soil conditions are suitable and consider a seed treatment to help protect soybeans from seedborne and soilborne pathogens.

XtendiMax® herbicide with VaporGrip® Technology is part of the Roundup Ready® Xtend Crop System and is a restricted use pesticide. ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW PESTICIDE LABEL DIRECTIONS. It is a violation of federal and state law to use any pesticide product other than in accordance with its labeling. XtendiMax® herbicide with VaporGrip® Technology and products with XtendFlex® Technology may not be approved in all states and may be subject to use restrictions in some states. Check with your local product dealer or representative or U.S. EPA and your state pesticide regulatory agency for the product registration status and additional restrictions in your state. For approved tank-mix products and nozzles visit XtendiMaxApplicationRequirements.com.

Commercialization is dependent on multiple factors, including successful conclusion of the regulatory process. The information presented herein is provided for educational purposes only, and is not and shall not be construed as an offer to sell, or a recommendation to use, any unregistered pesticide for any purpose whatsoever. It is a violation of federal law to promote or offer to sell an unregistered pesticide.

Do not export Roundup Ready® Alfalfa seed or crop, including hay or hay products, to China pending import approval. In addition, due to the unique cropping practices do not plant Roundup Ready® Alfalfa in Imperial County, California, pending import approvals and until Forage Genetics International, LLC (FGI) grants express permission for such planting.

Forage Genetics International, LLC (“FGI”) is a member of Excellence Through Stewardship® (ETS). FGI products are commercialized in accordance with ETS Product Launch Stewardship Guidance, and in compliance with FGI’s Policy for Commercialization of Biotechnology-Derived Plant Products in Commodity Crops. Certain products have been approved for import into key export markets with functioning regulatory systems. Any crop or material produced from this product can only be exported to, or used, processed or sold in countries where all necessary regulatory approvals have been granted. It is a violation of national and international law to move material containing biotech traits across boundaries into nations where import is not permitted. Growers should talk to their grain handler or product purchaser to confirm their buying position for this product. Growers should refer to http://www.biotradestatus.com/ for any updated information on import country approvals. Excellence Through Stewardship® is a registered trademark of Biotechnology Industry Organization.

Monsanto Company is a member of Excellence Through Stewardship® (ETS). Monsanto products are commercialized in accordance with ETS Product Launch Stewardship Guidance, and in compliance with Monsanto’s Policy for Commercialization of Biotechnology-Derived Plant Products in Commodity Crops. This product has been approved for import into key export markets with functioning regulatory systems. Any crop or material produced from this product can only be exported to, or used, processed or sold in countries where all necessary regulatory approvals have been granted. It is a violation of national and international law to move material containing biotech traits across boundaries into nations where import is not permitted. Growers should talk to their grain handler or product purchaser to confirm their buying position for this product. Excellence Through Stewardship® is a registered trademark of Excellence Through Stewardship.

ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW DIRECTIONS FOR USE ON PESTICIDE LABELING. IT IS A VIOLATION OF FEDERAL AND STATE LAW to use any pesticide product other than in accordance with its labeling. NOT ALL formulations of dicamba or glyphosate are approved for in-crop use with Roundup Ready 2 Xtend® soybeans. ONLY USE FORMULATIONS THAT ARE SPECIFICALLY LABELED FOR SUCH USES AND APPROVED FOR SUCH USE IN THE STATE OF APPLICATION. Contact the U.S. EPA and your state pesticide regulatory agency with any questions about the approval status of dicamba herbicide products for in-crop use with Roundup Ready 2 Xtend® soybeans.

Roundup Ready 2 Xtend® soybeans contains genes that confer tolerance to glyphosate and dicamba. Glyphosate will kill crops that are not tolerant to glyphosate. Dicamba will kill crops that are not tolerant to dicamba. Glufosinate will kill crops that are not tolerant to glufosinate. Contact your Monsanto dealer or refer to Monsanto’s Technology Use Guide for recommended weed control programs.

B.t. products may not yet be registered in all states. Check with your Monsanto representative for the registration status in your state.

IMPORTANT IRM INFORMATION: RIB Complete® corn blend products do not require the planting of a structured refuge except in the Cotton-Growing Area where corn earworm is a significant pest. SmartStax® RIB Complete® corn blend is not allowed to be sold for planting in the Cotton-Growing Area. See the IRM/Grower Guide for additional information. Always read and follow IRM requirements.

Performance may vary, from location to location and from year to year, as local growing, soil and weather conditions may vary. Growers should evaluate data from multiple locations and years whenever possible and should consider the impacts of these conditions on the grower’s fields.

The Climate FieldView™ services provide estimates or recommendations based on models. These do not guarantee results. Consult your agronomist, commodities broker and other service professionals before making financial, risk management, and farming decisions. Information and recommendations we provide do not modify your rights under insurance policies purchased through our affiliates. More information at www.climate.com/disclaimers.